Researchers have discovered a groundbreaking method for targeting and destroying cancer cells using aminocyanine molecules, commonly employed as synthetic dyes in bioimaging. This technique leverages the remarkable ability of aminocyanine molecules to disrupt cancer cell membranes when activated by near-infrared light, according to ScienceAlert.
Chemist James Tour from Rice University, who discussed the findings with ScienceAlert, characterizes this approach as a “whole new generation of molecular machines,” aptly named molecular jackhammers. These molecular jackhammers exhibit mechanical motion over a million times faster than their predecessors, the Feringa-type motors. Notably, they can be triggered by near-infrared light instead of visible light.
The use of near-infrared light is crucial as it allows for deeper penetration into the body. This innovation has the potential to transform the treatment of cancers affecting bones and organs, potentially eliminating the need for invasive surgeries.
In laboratory experiments conducted on cultured cancer cells, the molecular jackhammer method demonstrated an impressive 99 percent success rate in destroying cells. Transitioning from lab settings to living organisms, the approach was tested on mice with melanoma tumors, resulting in half of the animals becoming cancer-free.
Aminocyanine molecules possess a unique structure and chemical properties that synchronize with the right stimulus—near-infrared light. This breakthrough could offer a promising avenue for the development of more effective and less invasive cancer treatment strategies.
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